Single point refueling nozzle

ABSTRACT

A single point refueling nozzle for cooperatively engaging the adapter on an aircraft wing so as to permit fueling or defueling of the aircraft is disclosed. The single point refueling nozzle provides cooperatively locking members which prevent opening of the nozzle poppet valve until engaged with the wing adapter. A floating dual cylinder configuration permits sealing engagement of the refueling nozzle poppet valve plus sealing engagement of the nozzle and the underwing adapter by use of a novel nose seal, mounted in the cylinder, which is easily replaceable when damaged or worn. An over-the-center lever arm construction permits locking the poppet valve in the open and closed position.

United States Patent [191 Os'tand et a1.

Badger et al l37/614.06 X

[5 SINGLE POINT REFUELING NOZZLE v [75] Inventors: Paul R. Ostand;Robert W. Guertin,

both of Cincinnati, Ohio [73] Assignee: Dover Corporation, New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Nov. 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 195,173 v 521 US. Cl. 2s1/s9.s[51] Int. Cl. Fl6k 35/00 [58] Field of Search... 285/9; 137/614.06;251/89.5,

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,228,541 6/1917 Durbin285/379 X 1,738,996 12/1929 Hamilton et a1. 285/73 X 3,081,102 il/1963Murray et al. 277/168 3,381,977 5/1968 Metzger 285/71 X 3,573,871 4/1971Warner 277/168 2,716,999 9/1955 51 Feb. 5, 1974 3,472,482 10/1969Gardner 251/89.5

Primary Examiner-l-lenfy Klinksiek Attorney, Agent, or Firm-J. WarrenKinney, Jr. et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A single point refueling nozzle for cooperatively engagingthe adapter on an aircraft wing so as to permit fueling or defueling ofthe aircraft is disclosed. The single point refueling nozzle providescooperatively locking members which prevent opening of the nozzle poppetvalve until engaged with the wing adapter. A floating dual cylinderconfiguration permits sealing engagement of the refueling nozzle poppetvalve plus sealing engagement of the nozzle and the underwing adapter byuse of a novel nose seal, mounted in the cylinder, which is easilyreplaceable when damaged or worn An over-the-c enter lever armconstruction permits locking the poppet valve in the open and closedposition.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEB FEB 5 I974 SHEET 1 (1F 4 INVENTORSAUL R. OSTAND ROBERT w. GUERTIN ATTORNEYS PATENTEDFEB 51974 SHEEI 2 OF 4b 5 4 7 4 8 I 4 fi om W; 6 m 8 4 2 2 6 7 2 27 6 INVENTORS PAUL R. OSTANDROBERT W. GUERTIN ATTORNEYS PATENTEDFEB 5:914 3.790.126

sum 3 er 4 INVENTORS L R. OSTAN ERT W. GU IN ATTORNEYS PATENTEU EB 5i974 sumunfa m s O E Y T E N N Es R V O N T R A 1 SINGLE POINT REFUELINGNOZZLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

This invention relates generally to refueling nozzles and moreparticularly to a single point refueling nozzle for cooperativelyengaging an adapter nozzle on the undersidewings of aircraft.

Aircraft fuel tanks are most generally filled from under the winglocations. The fuel is pressure fed to the fuel tanks through a dryconnect coupling between the refueler and the aircraft. The refuelingnozzle must be engageable with the adapter on the aircraft wing. Whenengaged, the adapter poppet assembly must be urged open by the refuelingnozzle to permit flow of fuel into the tank. A problem exists with theinadvertent closing of nozzles during fueling of some aircraft. If thepoppet in the aircraft adapter should, for any reason, cease to exert adownward force on the refueling nozzle poppet,

there is a possibility that the nozzle poppet would swing over-centerand start to close. The use of a hold-hown spring together with anover-the-center construction of the nozzle poppet assembly would tend tolessen this problem.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a single pointrefueling nozzle which is less affected by back pressure in the fueltank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED I EMBODIMENT Reference is now made toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, which illustrate one exemplaryembodiment of the improved single point refueling nozzle of thisinvention, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.The refueling nozzle is comprised of a shroud 12, an outer body 14, amain body 16, a swivel tail 18, a swivel body 20, a poppet subassembly22 and A further object of this invention is to provide a refuelingnozzle having dual floating cylinders to. cooperatively engage thenozzle poppet valve and the valve seat in the adapter on the wing toprovide dual seals against the respective parts.

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide dual floating cylinderswhich adjust for wear in the respective parts of the adapter and therefueling nozzle. Yetanother object of this invention is to provide anover-the-center construction having locking means to prevent closing ofthe nozzle poppet valve inthe operating condition.

' A still further object of this invention is' to provide a refuelingnozzle having a novel seal ring which may be easily replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides an improved singlepoint refueling nozzle for cooperative engagement with a wing adaptorfor permitting refueling of aircraft fuel tanks. The refueling nozzlehas an over-the-center poppet valve assembly and means for locking thepoppet valve in the open and closed positions. The refueling nozzle hasdual floating cylinders to permit dual seals, one with the refuelingnozzle poppet valve and one with the adapter valve seat.

Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent as the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereofpresented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show apresent exemplary embodiment of this invention in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the single point refueling nozzle inthe closed position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1showing the nozzle in the closed position;

a crank assembly 24. Tubular handles 26, each having a handle grip 28 atone'end thereof, are secured to the shroud 12 by any suitable means,such as a nut and bolt 30.

The shroud 12 is comprised of two identical semicylindrical shapesdesignated 12a and 12b, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Each end of'therespective shroud halves terminate in semi-circular shaped handlereceiving portions 32. The handle receiving portions 32 cooperate todefine a handle support and clamping area. The respective nut and bolt30 protrude through said handle receiving portions 32 to clamp thehandles 26 securedly therein.

The shroud 12 is mounted to the outer body 14 by I any suitable meanssuch as screws 34 (FIG. 1). The outer body 14 is carried on a suitablebearing 36 for rotational movement about the main bodyv 16. The bearing36 cooperatively engages an outwardly projecting lip 38 of themain body'16. The .rotational movement of the outer body 14 relative to the mainbody 16 will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The upper end of the main body 16 is formed with two counterbores 40 and42. An inner cylinder 44 is resiliently carried in counterbore 40 by awave washer 46. An outer cylinder 48 is resiliently carried incounterbore 42 by a wave washer 50. The wave washers 46 and 50 bias theinner and outer cylinders 44 and 48 in the upward direction as viewed inFIG. 2. However, the

wave washers maybe compressed in the downward direction. As viewed inFIG. 2, the wave washers 46 and 50 are slightly compressed. The innerand outer cylinders 44 and 48 are complementally formed for limitedrelative sliding movement in the axial direction. The relative movementof the cylinder is limited by the shoulder 52 of the inner cylinder 44and shoulder 53 of the outer cylinder 48.

The outer cylinder 48 is formed with two annular grooves 54 and 56 inwhich are placed suitable seals 58 66 on the wing adapter'68 (FIG. 3).The nose seal 62 may be made from any suitable flexible material, suchas Viton or the like. As viewed in FIG. 7, the crosssectional shape ofthe seal 62 may be defined generally as rectangular with an angularprotrusion extending outwardly in an axial direction from the lowerperiphery of the seal. The outward protrusion of the seal 62 terminatesin a shoulder 70 which engages a similar shoulder of the channel 64 soas to retain the seal therein. The novel shape of the nose seal 62permits rapid replacement of the seal should it become worn or damaged.It is only necessary to grasp the protruding portion of the seal 62 andpull it to separate it from the channel 64. To insert a new 'nose seal62, the seal is pushed into engagement with the outer cylinder 48. Theangular protrusion of the nose seal 62 will flex inward until such'timeas the seal 62 has been urged axially a sufficient distance so that theshoulder 70 may snap into place to cooperatively engage thecomplementally formed channel 64. The nose seal 62 may be replaced onsite, such as at the aircraft, and may even be replaced when therefueling nozzle is pressurized.

The inner cylinder 44 is formed wiht a chamfered seating surface 72 atone end thereof for cooperative engagement with a seal 74 which ismolded onto poppet valve 76 of poppet subassembly 22. As viewed in FIG.2, the poppet subassembly 22 is in the closed or sealed position whereinthe seal 74 is in engagement with the seating surface 72 of the innercylinder 44 to prevent flow therethrough.

The poppet 76 is formed with an internally threaded bore 78 whichcooperatively receives the threaded end portion of a stem 80. The stem80 is formed with an aperture 82. The poppet 76 has a slot 84 (FIG.'3)milled across the bottom thereof such that a cotter pin or the like maybe inserted through the slot 84 and aperture 82 to maintain the poppet76in a specific relationship to the stem 80.

The stem 80 is axially positioned and supported by a web 86 (FIG. 3)having a central bore or guide 88. A bushing 90 is mounted between thestem 80 and the guide 88. The bushing 90 is formed with a substantiallylarge shoulder 92 at the lower end and a relatively small engaging lip94 at the other end. The small lip portion 94 is more likely to failbefore the large shoulder 92. If this should happen, the bushing 90 willnot prevent the poppet subassembly from moving from the open position(FIG. 3) to the closed position of FIG. 2. For this safety feature, thebushing 90 must be inserted with the lip portion 94 at the upper endthereof and not vice versa.

The lower end of the stem 80 is bifurcated and the bifurcated elements96 and 98 have an aperture 100 formed therethrough. A link 102 ispivotally carried between the links 96 and 98 by a pin or the like 104extending through the aperture 100 and a similar aperture in the link102. THe other end of link 102 has an aperture 106 therethrough and inwhich a suitable bearing 108 is mounted. A shaft extension 1 l0protruding from the cantilever crank 112 is carried by the bearing 108.A washer 114 is mounted on the shaft extension 110 adjacent the end ofthe bearing 108 and is held in place by a suitable cotter pin or thelike which is inserted through an aperture 116 in the shaft extension110. The washer 114 will prevent excessive lateral movement of the link102 relative to the shaft extension 1 10.

The cantilever crank 112 extends through a packing gland 118 threadablymounted and extending through the main body 16. The packing gland 118contains a bearing 120 and an O-ring seal 121. The cantilever crank 112extends through the gland 118 to the outside of the nozzle 10 and isreduced in diameter at 122. The reduced portion 122 is formed with akeyway 124 to lock the operating lever 126 in the correct angularrelationship to the cantilever crank 112. The terminal end of thecantilever crank 112 is threaded at 128 to accept a washer 130 and a nut132 to secure the lever 126 to the cantilever crank 112. A flange 134,integral with crank 112, butts against the end of gland 118. Theengagement of the flange 134 with the gland l 18 prevents 'the crank 112from being blown outward due to internal fuel pressure. A static O-ringseal 136 forms a seal for the gland 118 and the main body 16.

In the position shown in FIG. 2, thelinkage consisting of poppet 76,stem 80, link 102, extension the linkage and cantilever crank 112 is inthe closed position and is locked over-the-center. The seal 74 is incontact with the sealing surface 72 of the inner cylinder 44. The wavewasher 46 provides an upward bias force on the inner cylinder 44 whichengages the seal 74 of poppet 76 and at the same time imposes a loadupward on the linkage described above which in conjunction with theover-the-center position of the crank locks the poppet 76 in the closedposition.

When the lever 126 and the crank 112 are rotated approximately 200 fromthe position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the linkage will take the positionshown in FIG. 3. It is seen in FIG. 3 that the link 102 is once againover-the-center with the poppet 76 in the full open position. Any motionor force downward against the poppet 76 will tend to move the link in aclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3. However, clockwise movement isprohibited because of a stop 138 which is cast on lever 126 which abutsagainst a stop 140 which is part of the main body 16. A spring 142 ismounted about the stem 80 above the bifurcated elements 96 and 98. Thespring 142 abuts the shoulder portion 92 of the bushing 90 therebyproducing a net downward force on the stem 80 and overall linkagetending to urge the linkage and particularly link 102 in a clockwisedirection. The movement is prohibited by stops 138 and 140 and therebythe linkage is locked in the over-the-center position in the open orflow-through position.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a locking ring 144 is secured to theend of the 'main body 16 by a plurality of screws or the like 146. Theannular locking ring 144 has a plurality, in this embodiment three,projections or guides 148 projecting upwardly adjacent the outercylinder 48. A locking plate 150 is resiliently carried above thelocking ring 144 by suitable resilient means such as spring 152 (FIGS. 3and 4). The springs 152 are mounted in suitable bores 154 in the lockingring 144. The spring 152 acts against the main body 16 at one end andurges the locking plate 150 against the undersurface of an inwardlyprojecting flange 156 of the outer body 14. The locking plate 150 isprovided with outwardly projecting ears 158 which project intocomplementally formed slots 160 in the outer body 14 when the lockingplate 150 is biased in the upward direction as seen in FIG. 2. As seenin FIGS. 2 and 4, the engagement of the protrusions 158 with the slot160 prevents rotation of the outer body 14 relative to the main body 16.As will be explained herebelow, the

The inwardly projecting flange 156 is provided with three slots 162therethrough for insertion of lugs 164 complementally formed on the wingadapter 68, as seen in FIG. 3. When the refueling nozzle 10 is broughtinto engagement with the wing adapter 68, the lugs 164 (only one ofwhich is shown) urge the locking plate 150 downwardly against spring 154so that the protruding ears 158 clear the slots 160. At this point, theshroud 12 and outer body 14 may be rotated relative to the main body 16so as to unlock the lever 126 for rotational movement. In the engagedposition of FIG. 3, it can be seen that the nose seal 62 is in sealingengagement with inwardly projecting flange 66 and the outer cylinder 48has been moved axially downwardly towards the counterbore 42 againstwave washer 50. The upper surface 1660f lugs 164 and the lower surface168 of flange 156 provide a reference plane inasmuch as the wing adapter68 is standardized and set by Federal regulations. 7}

Once'again referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, it is seen thatthe lever 126is formed with a relatively flat portion 170 and a rounded portion 172.The lever 126 is prevented from rotational movement by the shroudprojection 174 which overlies the flat portion 170 of the lever 126.While the projection 174 overlies the surface 170, the lever 126 cannotbe rotated, hence the cantilever crank 112 cannot be rotated to move thepoppet 76 from the closed position. Shroud 12 is prevented from rotationuntil the refueling nozzle 10 is engaged with the wing adapter nozzle 68as above described. After such engagement, locking plate 150 isdisengaged from the slots 160 and the shroud may be rotatedapproximately. 30 clockwise as FIG. 1 is viewed from the bottom.Overrotation of the shroud 12 relative to the main body 16 is preventedby a stop lug 176 on the main body 16 which engages a similar lug 178formed on the shroud 12. Likewise, engagement of the lug 176 with a lug180 prevents Overrotation of the shroud 12 relative to the main body 16in the opposite direction. After rotation of the shroud 12, the shroudprojection 174 is clear of the lever 126 and portions 170 and 172, asseen in FIG. 6. At this time, the lever 126 may be rotated approximately200 from the position shown in FIG. 3 causing the poppet valve 76 to bemoved from the closed position to the open position. Raising of thepoppet 76 simultaneously opens a similar poppet valve (not shown) of thewing adapter so that the fuel tank may be filled. As previouslyexplained, the poppet 76 is locked in the open position by theoverthe-center construction of the linkage and clockwise rotation oflink 102 as seen in FIG. 3 is prevented by the stops 138 and 140. Itshould also be noted that stop 141 cooperates with the stop 138 toprevent rotation of the lever 126 (FIG. 1) when the poppet 76 is in theclosed position.

When the refueling nozzle 10 is in the engaged and open position shownin FIG. 3, there is no chance for inadvertent disengagement of therefueling nozzle 10 from the wing adapter 68. Such disengagement isprevented by theinterference of the projection 174 with the roundedportion 172 of the lever 126. Hence, once the lever 126 has been rotatedto the position in FIG. 3, the shroud 12 may not be counterrotatedrelative to the main body 16 because protrusion 174 will engage therounded portion 172. The shroud may not be counterrotated until thelever 126 has been returned to the position shown in FIG. 1 at whichpoint the poppet 76 is once again seated against the inner cylinder 44.At this point, the shroud may be counterrotated until lug engages thelug 176 wherein the lugs 1.64 of the wing adapter nozzle 68 are alignedwith the slots 162 of the flange 156 and the nozzle 10 may be disengagedfrom the wing adapter 68.

Referring once again to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the swivel tail18 and swivel body 20 are of conventional construction. The swivel tail18 is secured to the main body 16 by a plurality of screws or the like182. A suitable flange seal 184 provides a seal between the cooperatingflanges of the main body 16 and swivel tail -18. A retaining ring 186holds a strainer 188 in a counterbore formed on the inner surface of theswivel tail The swivel body 20 is internally threaded at 190 tocooperatively engage a threaded fuel line (not shown) which suppliespressurized fuel to the refueling nozzle 10. A seal 192, mounted in anannular groove 194 of the swivel tail 18 provides a seal between theswivel tail l8 and the swivel body 20.

The swivel tail 18 is provided with an external groove 196 whichprovides a race for a plurality of balls 198. The balls 198 aresupported in angularly formed apertures 200 in the swivel body 20. Theballs 198 are urged into the race 196 by a ball retainer 202 held inplace by screws 204 which protrude into a slot 206 in the swivel body20. It is seen that the refueling nozzle 10 is rotatable relative to theswivel body 20. Should it be necessary to repair or clean the strainer188, it is only necessary to loosen the screws 204 so that they areretracted from the slot 206 such that the ball retainer 202 may slidedownwardly into engagement with flange 210 atv which point a channel 212is aligned with the balls 198. The balls 198 will then be urgedoutwardly into the channel 212 so that the swivel body 20 may beseparatedfrom the swivel tail 18. When the swivel body 20 is separated,retaining ring 208 prevents the ball retainer 202 from falling off theswivel body 20.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, it is seen that a cover or dust cap 214is attached to the refueling nozzle 10 by any'suitable lanyard or wire216. The cover 214 is adapted to fit over a collar 218 which is madefrom an suitable material such as Buna N. The cover 214 is provided witha plurality of inwardly projecting protrusions or dimples 220 whichfrictionally engage the collar 218 to secure the cover 214 thereon. Whenthe cover 214 is in the off position, the collar 218 will assist inprotecting the refueling nozzle 10 if the nozzle should accidentally bedropped and hit the ground in the collar area due to its resiliency.

As indicated above, the shroud halves 12a and 12b, FIG. 5, are identicalin configuration. Accordingly, the shroud 12b is formed with lookinglugs 178b, 180b together with the projection 174b. In this way, the part12b may be interchangeable with shroud part 12a on another refuelingnozzle. In addition, the protuberance 1741) provides a wear point shouldthe refueling nozzle be inadvertently dragged across the ground.

It should be further noted that the tubular handles 26 and handle grips28 provide additional wear points if the refueling nozzle 10 isaccidentally dragged over the ground. The tubular handles 26 are made ofa suitable lightweight material, such as aluminum, and provide an'additional safety feature for the refueling nozzle 10. If the refuelingnozzle 10 should accidentally be dropped and land on either the handlegrip 28 or the handle 26, the handle 26 will buckle or bend before theshroud 12 is cracked or broken.

in operation, the refueling nozzle 10 is grasped by the handle grip 28and lifted into engagement with the wing adapter 68. When in engagementwith the adapter 68 so that the locking plate 150 is depressed anddisengaged from the slot 160, the shroud is rotated approximately 30clockwise as viewed from the bottom until the projection 174 clears theflat portion 170 of lever 126. The lever 126 is then rotatedapproximately 200 which takes the poppet linkage from an over-the-centerposition in the closed position to an over-the-center position in theopen or flow-through position. The poppet 76 is locked in the openposition due to the over-thecenter position of the link 102. It shouldbe noted that in the engaged position, FIG. 3, the end of the innercylinder 44 stops at approximately the same horizontal plane as the noseseal. Hence, the cylinder 44 offers support for the nose seal 62 againstpressures. When the fuel tank has been filled, the lever 126 iscounterrotated to the first position wherein the poppet 76 is locked inthe closed position by the over-the-center position of the lever 102once again. At this point, the handle grips 28 may be grasped andcounterrotated approximately 30 and the refueling nozzle 10 may bedisengaged from the wing adapter 68.

It can be seen that this invention provides a single point refuelingnozzle which has many advantageous safety features and is foolproof inoperation. While the specific embodiment hereinabove described has beenspecifically described as having dual floating cylinders, it is entirelywithin the scope of this invention to provide a single floating cylinderrather than dual cylinder. In this configuration, the nose seal would bemounted in the single cylinder and the chamfered seating surface wouldalso be provided in the single cylinder. The overthe-center linkagemembers of this invention prevent either opening or closing of thepoppet valve when the lever is locked in either the open or closedposition. Accordingly, it is thus seen that this invention accomplishesthe objectives hereinbefore set forth.

While a present exemplary embodiment of this invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be recognized that this invention maybe otherwise variously embodied and practiced by those skilled in theart.

What is claimed is:

l. A single point refueling nozzle for engagement with and disengagementfrom an adapter to permit fueling or defueling of fuel tanks comprisinga first cylindrical main body; floating cylinder means mounted in oneend of said first body and extending axially outward therefrom, saidfloating cylinder means having an internal seating surface; meansbiasing said floating cylinder means axially outward of said main body;a nose seal mounted at the outward end of said floating cylinder meansfor engagement with an adapter to provide a seal between the adapter andthe refueling nozzle; a poppet valve mounted at the end of said floatingcylinder means, said valve being in sealing engagement against saidseating surface in the closed position and being disengaged from theseating surface in the open position; a crank mounted in said firstcylindrical main body, one end of said crank extending exteriorly of thebody; a link pivotally connecting the other end of said crank with saidpoppet valve wherein said crank and link are in an over-the-centercondition when the poppet valve is both in the closed and openedpositions; a rotatable lever exterior of said main body connected withsaid one end of the crank to permit opening and closing of said poppetvalve; first lock means preventing rotation of said lever in the absenceof engagement of the refueling nozzle with the adapter; a secondcylindrical body of greater diameter mounted at one end of said firstbody for rotational movement relative thereto, said second cylindricalbody formed to receive lugs of the adapter; second lock means preventingrelative rotation of said first and second bodies in the absence ofengagement of the refueling nozzle with the adapter; and means securedto the other end of said first cylindrical main body for connecting saidfirst cylindrical main body with a source of fuel.

2. The refueling nozzle according to claim 1 in which said floatingcylinder means comprises an inner and outer cylinder respectivelymounted in one end of said first main body, said internal seatingsurface being formed on said inner cylinder, and said nose seal beingmounted in said outer cylinder, said inner and outer cylinders beingmounted to permit relative axial movement one to the other, said innercylinder having means to limit relative movement in one directionbetween said inner and outer cylinders.

3. The refueling nozzle according to claim 2 in which said biasing meanscomprises first and second springs mounted so as to engage said innerand outer cylinders to bias said cylinders axially outward and furthercomprising means forming a seal between said inner and outer cylinders.

4. The refueling nozzle according to claim 3 in which said poppet valveis formed with a seal molded thereto for engagement with said internalseating surface formed on said inner cylinder.

5. The refueling nozzle according to claim 1 in which said secondcylindrical body comprises an outer body and a shroud secured to saidouter body, and further comprising handle means secured to said shroudto permit rotation of said shroud and outer body relative to said mainbody when the refueling nozzle is in engagement with the adapter nozzle.

6. The refueling nozzle according to claim 5 in which said shroud isformed with an outwardly protruding projection, and in which saidrotatable lever is formed with a relatively flat portion and a roundedportion, said shroud projection and lever flat and rounded portionsdefining said first lock means wherein said shroud projection overliessaid substantially flat portion when said poppet valve is in the closedposition whereby said whereby said lever rounded portion cooperates withsaid shroud projection to prevent counterrotation of said shroud andouter body relative to said main body when said poppet valve is open.

7. The refueling nozzle according to claim 6 in which said shroud isformed with spaced first and second inwardly projecting lugs, said mainbody being formed with an outwardly projecting lug, said main body lugprojecting into'the space between said shroud first and second lugwherein said lugs cooperatively engage one another to limit the relativemovement between said main body and outer body in each direction.

8. The refueling nozzle according to claim 7 in which said shroud isformed of identical semi-cylindrical sections, each end of said sectionterminating in a semicircular handle receiving portion wherein twospecial handle receiving portions define a handle support and clampingarea and in which said handles are of tubular construction whereinexcessive force applied to said handles wll result in bending of saidhandle portions before damage to said shroud portions occurs.

9. The refueling nozzle according to claim 1 in which said second lockmeans comprises a locking ring secured to the end of said main body,said locking ring including a plurality of axially extending guides, alocking plate mounted on said locking ring and prevented from rotationalmovement by said locking ring guides cooperating with complementallyformed slots in said locking plate, resilient means biasing said lockingplate axially away from said main body and against the undersurface ofan inwardly projecting flange formed on said outer body, said lockingplate being formed with a plurality of outwardly projecting ears, saidouter body being formed with a plurality of complementally formed slotsto receive said locking plate ears wherein rotation of said outer bodyrelative to said main body is prevented when said ears are in engagementwith said outer body slots and whereby said outer body may only berotated when said locking plate is urged axially toward said main bodyso as to disengage said locking plate ears from said outer body slots.

.10. The refueling nozzle according to claim 1 further comprising firstand second stops formed exteriorly of said main body, a lever stopformed on said lever for cooperative engagement with said first andsecond stops to limit the rotational movement of said lever, said leverstop and said first stop cooperating to lock said poppet valve in theclosed position and said lever stop and said second stop cooperating tolock said poppet valve in the opened position, said cantilever crank andconnecting link being in the over-the-center condition in each of thelocked positions.

11. The refueling nozzle according to claim 10 further comprising apoppet valve supporting web having a central bore to support said poppetvalve for axial movement thereof, said poppet valve including a sternextending therethrough, said stem terminating in a bifurcated end inwhich said link is pivotally connected, said bifurcated end providing ashoulder of greater dimension than said stem, a spring mounted aboutsaid stem between said web central bore and said bifurcated end shoulderwherein in the poppet valve opened position said spring is compressedbetween said shoulder and web bore whereby said spring acts against saidstem shoulder to provide a downward force to assist in locking saidpoppet valve in the opened position due to the overthe-center conditionof said link and cantilever crank.

12. The refueling nozzle according to claim 11 further comprising abushingmounted between said web bore and said stem, said bushingproviding an enlarged shoulder at one end against which said springacts, the other end of said bushing being provided with a lip portion tohold said bushing in place, said lip portion being subject to failurebefore said enlarged shoulder portion wherein said bushing will notprevent said poppet valve from closing should failure of the lip portionoccur.

13. In a refueling nozzle fore engagement with and disengagement from anadapter to permit fueling or defueling of fuel tanks, the combinationcomprising an annular nose seal in which the cross-sectional shape ofsaid nose seal is defined generally as rectangular with the outersurface having a protrusion extending angularly and axially outwardlyfrom the outer surface at the lower end of the seal, said protrusionterminating in a shoulder, a cylindrical nozzle having a boretherethrough, and means at one end of said nozzle having acomplementally formed channel therein to securedly receive said noseseal in independent locking relationship wherein said nose seal providesa seal between the nozzle and the adapter during engagement thereby.

14. The combination according to claim 13 in which said channel isformed with a complementally formed shoulder to snappingly engage saidseal shoulder.

15. The combination according to claim 14 in which said means at the oneend of said nozzle includes inner and outer cylinders and in which saidchannel is formed in said outer cylinder.

16. A single point refueling nozzle for engagement with anddisengagement from an adapter to permit fueling and defueling of fueltanks comprising a first cylindrical main body providing a uniforminternal bore, the outlet end of said body being formed with steppedbores; an inner cylinder mounted in one of said counterbores; an outercylinder mounted in the other of said counterbores, said inner and outercylinders extending axially outward beyond the end of said main body; aspring mounted between each counterbore and cylinder to resilientlymount said cylinders for limited axial movement relative to said mainbody; a nose seal mounted at the outward end of said outer cylinder forengagement with an adapter to provide a seal between the adapter and therefueling nozzle; a support web having a central bore therethrough; apoppet valve having a stem extending through said central bore andsupported thereby for axial movement, said poppet valve having a closedposition-in sealing engagement with said inner cylinder for preventingfuel flow therethrough and having an open position when said poppetvalve is moved axially away from said inner cylinder and main body topermit fuel flow therethrough; a cantilever crank mounted in said firstmain body, one end of said crank extending exteriorly of the body andthe other end having a shaft protruding therefrom; a link having a borethrough one end thereof mounted on said cantilever crank protrudingshaft, the other end of said link being pivotally connected with one endof the poppet valve stem wherein said crank and link are in anover-the-center condition when the poppet valve is either in the open orclosed positions; a cylindrical outer body mounted about the outlet endof said main body for rotational movement relative thereto, said outerbody having an inwardly projecting flange having slots formedtherethrough to receive lugs of the adapter; locking means carriedbetween said outer cylinder and siad cylindrical outer body to preventrelative rotation of said outer body when disengaged from an adpater; ashroud connected to said outer body and extending axially toward saidmain body-inlet to substantially enclose said main body, said shroudterminating adjacent said cantilever crank end extending exteriorly ofsaid sition to the opened position when the shroud and outer body are ina first position in which the refueling nozzle is not engaged with theadapter whereby when said refueling nozzle is in engagement with theadapter and said outer body and shroud have been rotated relative tosaid main body said lever may be rotated to open said poppet valve andthereby permit fuel flow from the refueling nozzle to the adapter.

1. A single point refueling nozzle for engagement with and disengagementfrom an adapter to permit fueling or defueling of fuel tanks comprisinga first cylindrical main body; floating cylinder means mounted in oneend of said first body and extending axially outward therefrom, saidfloating cylinder means having an internal seating surface; meansbiasing said floating cylinder means axially outward of said main body;a nose seal mounted at the outward end of said floating cylinder meansfor engagement with an adapter to provide a seal between the adapter andthe refueling nozzle; a poppet valve mounted at the end of said floatingcylinder means, said valve being in sealing engagement against saidseating surface in the closed position and being disengaged from theseating surface in the open position; a crank mounted in said firstcylindrical main body, one end of said crank extending exteriorly of thebody; a link pivotally connecting the other end of said crank with saidpoppet valve wherein said crank and link are in an over-the-centercondition when the poppet valve is both in the closed and openedpositions; a rotatable lever exterior of said main body connected withsaid one end of the crank to permit opening and closing of said poppetvalve; first lock means preventing rotation of said lever in the absenceof engagement of the refueling nozzle with the adapter; a secondcylindrical body of greater diameter mounted at one end of said firstbody for rotational movement relative thereto, said second cylindricalbody formed to receive lugs of the adapter; second lock means preventingrelative rotation of said first and second bodies in the absence ofengagement of the refueling nozzle with the adapter; and means securedto the other end of said first cylindrical main body for connecting saidfirst cylindrical main body with a source of fuel.
 2. The refuelingnozzle according to claim 1 in which said floating cylinder meanscomprises an inner and outer cylinder respectively mounted in one end ofsaid first main body, said internal seating surface being formed on saidinner cylinder, and said nose seal being mounted in said outer cylinder,said inner and outer cylinders being mounted to permit relative axialmovement one to the other, said inner cylinder having means to limitrelative movement in one direction between said inner and outercylinders.
 3. The refueling nozzle according to claim 2 in which saidbiasing means comprises first and second springs mounted so as to engagesaid inner and outer cylinders to bias said cylinders axially outwardand further comprising means forming a seal between said inner and outercylinders.
 4. The refueling nozzle according to claim 3 in which saidpoppet valve is formed with a seal molded thereto for engagement withsaid internal seating surface formed on said inner cylinder.
 5. Therefueling nozzle according to claim 1 in which said second cylindricalbody comprises an outer body and a shroud secured to said outer body,and further comprising handle means secured to said shroud to permitrotation of said shroud and outer body relative to said main body whenthe refueling nozzle is in engagement with the adapter nozzle.
 6. Therefueling nozzle according to claim 5 in which said shroud is formedwith an outwardly protruding projection, and in which said rotatablelever is formed with a relatively flat portion and a rounded portion,said shroud projection and lever flat and rounded portions defining saidfirst lock means wherein said shroud projection overlies saidsubstantially flat portion when said poppet valve is in the closedposition whereby said leveR is prevented from rotational movement by theclose association of said shroud projection with said flat portion, saidlever being rotatable after said shroud and outer body have been rotatedrelative to said main body wherein said shroud projection no longeroverlies said flat portion whereby said lever may be rotated to move thepoppet valve to the open position, and whereby said lever roundedportion cooperates with said shroud projection to preventcounterrotation of said shroud and outer body relative to said main bodywhen said poppet valve is open.
 7. The refueling nozzle according toclaim 6 in which said shroud is formed with spaced first and secondinwardly projecting lugs, said main body being formed with an outwardlyprojecting lug, said main body lug projecting into the space betweensaid shroud first and second lug wherein said lugs cooperatively engageone another to limit the relative movement between said main body andouter body in each direction.
 8. The refueling nozzle according to claim7 in which said shroud is formed of identical semi-cylindrical sections,each end of said section terminating in a semi-circular handle receivingportion wherein two special handle receiving portions define a handlesupport and clamping area and in which said handles are of tubularconstruction wherein excessive force applied to said handles wll resultin bending of said handle portions before damage to said shroud portionsoccurs.
 9. The refueling nozzle according to claim 1 in which saidsecond lock means comprises a locking ring secured to the end of saidmain body, said locking ring including a plurality of axially extendingguides, a locking plate mounted on said locking ring and prevented fromrotational movement by said locking ring guides cooperating withcomplementally formed slots in said locking plate, resilient meansbiasing said locking plate axially away from said main body and againstthe undersurface of an inwardly projecting flange formed on said outerbody, said locking plate being formed with a plurality of outwardlyprojecting ears, said outer body being formed with a plurality ofcomplementally formed slots to receive said locking plate ears whereinrotation of said outer body relative to said main body is prevented whensaid ears are in engagement with said outer body slots and whereby saidouter body may only be rotated when said locking plate is urged axiallytoward said main body so as to disengage said locking plate ears fromsaid outer body slots.
 10. The refueling nozzle according to claim 1further comprising first and second stops formed exteriorly of said mainbody, a lever stop formed on said lever for cooperative engagement withsaid first and second stops to limit the rotational movement of saidlever, said lever stop and said first stop cooperating to lock saidpoppet valve in the closed position and said lever stop and said secondstop cooperating to lock said poppet valve in the opened position, saidcantilever crank and connecting link being in the over-the-centercondition in each of the locked positions.
 11. The refueling nozzleaccording to claim 10 further comprising a poppet valve supporting webhaving a central bore to support said poppet valve for axial movementthereof, said poppet valve including a stem extending therethrough, saidstem terminating in a bifurcated end in which said link is pivotallyconnected, said bifurcated end providing a shoulder of greater dimensionthan said stem, a spring mounted about said stem between said webcentral bore and said bifurcated end shoulder wherein in the poppetvalve opened position said spring is compressed between said shoulderand web bore whereby said spring acts against said stem shoulder toprovide a downward force to assist in locking said poppet valve in theopened position due to the over-the-center condition of said link andcantilever crank.
 12. The refueling nozzle according to claim 11 furthercomprising a bushing mounted between said web bore and said stem, sAidbushing providing an enlarged shoulder at one end against which saidspring acts, the other end of said bushing being provided with a lipportion to hold said bushing in place, said lip portion being subject tofailure before said enlarged shoulder portion wherein said bushing willnot prevent said poppet valve from closing should failure of the lipportion occur.
 13. In a refueling nozzle fore engagement with anddisengagement from an adapter to permit fueling or defueling of fueltanks, the combination comprising an annular nose seal in which thecross-sectional shape of said nose seal is defined generally asrectangular with the outer surface having a protrusion extendingangularly and axially outwardly from the outer surface at the lower endof the seal, said protrusion terminating in a shoulder, a cylindricalnozzle having a bore therethrough, and means at one end of said nozzlehaving a complementally formed channel therein to securedly receive saidnose seal in independent locking relationship wherein said nose sealprovides a seal between the nozzle and the adapter during engagementthereby.
 14. The combination according to claim 13 in which said channelis formed with a complementally formed shoulder to snappingly engagesaid seal shoulder.
 15. The combination according to claim 14 in whichsaid means at the one end of said nozzle includes inner and outercylinders and in which said channel is formed in said outer cylinder.16. A single point refueling nozzle for engagement with anddisengagement from an adapter to permit fueling and defueling of fueltanks comprising a first cylindrical main body providing a uniforminternal bore, the outlet end of said body being formed with steppedbores; an inner cylinder mounted in one of said counterbores; an outercylinder mounted in the other of said counterbores, said inner and outercylinders extending axially outward beyond the end of said main body; aspring mounted between each counterbore and cylinder to resilientlymount said cylinders for limited axial movement relative to said mainbody; a nose seal mounted at the outward end of said outer cylinder forengagement with an adapter to provide a seal between the adapter and therefueling nozzle; a support web having a central bore therethrough; apoppet valve having a stem extending through said central bore andsupported thereby for axial movement, said poppet valve having a closedposition in sealing engagement with said inner cylinder for preventingfuel flow therethrough and having an open position when said poppetvalve is moved axially away from said inner cylinder and main body topermit fuel flow therethrough; a cantilever crank mounted in said firstmain body, one end of said crank extending exteriorly of the body andthe other end having a shaft protruding therefrom; a link having a borethrough one end thereof mounted on said cantilever crank protrudingshaft, the other end of said link being pivotally connected with one endof the poppet valve stem wherein said crank and link are in anover-the-center condition when the poppet valve is either in the open orclosed positions; a cylindrical outer body mounted about the outlet endof said main body for rotational movement relative thereto, said outerbody having an inwardly projecting flange having slots formedtherethrough to receive lugs of the adapter; locking means carriedbetween said outer cylinder and siad cylindrical outer body to preventrelative rotation of said outer body when disengaged from an adpater; ashroud connected to said outer body and extending axially toward saidmain body inlet to substantially enclose said main body, said shroudterminating adjacent said cantilever crank end extending exteriorly ofsaid main body; handles secured to said shroud to permit rotation ofsaid shroud and outer body relative to said main body when said lockingmeans is disengaged; a rotatable lever secured to said one end of saidcantilever crank for rotating said crank to open and close said pOppetvalve; and a cam mounted on the one end of said cantilever crank, saidcam having a surface engageable with said shroud for preventing rotationof said lever to move the poppet valve from the closed position to theopened position when the shroud and outer body are in a first positionin which the refueling nozzle is not engaged with the adapter wherebywhen said refueling nozzle is in engagement with the adapter and saidouter body and shroud have been rotated relative to said main body saidlever may be rotated to open said poppet valve and thereby permit fuelflow from the refueling nozzle to the adapter.